Fact or Old Wives Tale?

Chell · 27 June 2006 at 10:05PM

When you have white patches on your nails does it really mean that you have a deficiancy or is it an old wives tale?

I noticed that my DS has some and was wondered if I should be worried?

Nicki · 28 June 2006 at 5:16PM

It can be a sign of a zinc deficiency, but could also just be sign that the nails have got very slightly damaged at some point, or that the child has suffered a period of ill health in the past. I was very ill after I had my second child, and about 3 months later had a lovely regular band of white across all my nails at the same point. if your child has a generally healthy diet, I wouldn't be too concerned.

Jays · 28 June 2006 at 5:32PM

Small patches of white at irregular points are most likely to be a 'bruise' ie where the nail has been knocked during development. Nicki is right about a regularly spaced band of white being an indication of past ill health, a ridge can also appear in similar conditions.

Ted_Hutchinson · 28 June 2006 at 5:33PM

Do you have white spots or marks on your nails?

Lady_E · 28 June 2006 at 5:34PM

My Mum always told us that it was calcium deficency and that we had to drink more milk .

Fact or Old Wives Tale?

Comments

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free